Johnson, 23, who has spent all of his career at the club, had expected as much after failing to win a regular place for the last couple of seasons, and he would prefer to go now.

The Northern Ireland midfielder would like Rovers to sell him for a nominal fee or release him and a number of clubs are already interested in signing him.

Most of the interest is from clubs in the First Division and Nottingham Forest, where Johnson once spent a loan spell, are believed to be at the head of the queue.

‘‘John Williams told me on Wednesday that the club would not be giving me a new contract and it wasn’t a big surprise,’’ he said. ‘‘I think the writing has been on the wall.

‘‘I just want to go somewhere where I can play regular first-team football, and I haven’t been able to do that here.’’